[Albumin and its therapeutic use - Part II]

Albumin is the most effective oncotic agent and has wide clinical application. In the resuscitation of injured patients with hypovolemic shock (during war and peace) the use of supplemental albumin is purported to be more effective in restoring plasma volume, increasing cardiac output, preventing pulmonary oedema and maintaining organ perfusion than resuscitation without supplemental albumin. Most important in a study of albumin are criterias for appropriate use because it was sometimes unjustified. Therapeutic use of albumin should not be dictated by arbitrary or pragmatic restriction but rather by rational prescribing from physicians well educated in its use.